Object Number: E4501

Collection: World Cultures

Object Name: Personal Accessory

Description: Long comb with 16 teeth, handle consists of 2 carved prongs, a small carved "neck" and a triangular part with 11 pieces of mother-of-pearl inlay, joining onto the toothed part. The 2 carved prongs are parallel and then join to create the short "neck". The neck goes straight up then branches out into a semi-circle shape, up straight a little, and then another semi-circle. Then the upside-down triangular section of the handle (stained black, like the teeth) begins. Within this section are inlaid 11 pieces of shell. All but three (which are a sand-timer octagonal shape) are hexagonal, but all are notched. At the handle top is a thin stick tied on and adding support for the teeth protruding from the handle. Just below the teeth tips a piece of cord is woven around and in between the teeth to add further support.